Help Identifying 2 Bayonets Please, and Thank You!

[herbva]

These two bayonets were in a box together with other knives and hunting paraphernalia that I won in an auction recently. I am mostly into pocket knives and other large folding knives, but would appreciate any information that I can get regarding these 2 bayonets. I measure the larger one at 16 3/8" overall, and the blade is 11 5/8", and the smaller one is 12 1/2" overall, and the blade is 7 3/4". The larger one is stamped "Waffenfabrik Neuhausen, MF Bern" and I can find almost no markings on the smaller one, except where a chunk of the handle scale on one side is broken off, I see the number "62" stamped. The piece of paper in the last picture was included in the box of stuff, and I assume is research, done by the previous owner, regarding the larger bayonet. I think I may try to manufacture a piece to replace the missing chunk of the handle scale, unless someone has a better idea. Thanks for any and all input!

[zzyzzogeton]

The paper does indeed ID the top bayonet. The top one is an M1889 made in the Weapons Factory, Bern Switzerland. Made for the M1889 Schmidt-Ruben 7.5mm rifle. The diameter of the muzzle ring would indicate which version of rifle it was made for -

15mm == M1899 and M1911 Rifles

14mm == M1911 Carbine and M1931 Short Rifle

That serial number is high enough that it is probably for an M1899 aka M1911. Again the muzzle ring diameter would tell you whether is is for the Rifle or Carbine/Short Rifle.

The same serial number on a S-R was for a M1911 Infantry Rifle made in 1918, so another clue. The rifle and bayonet serial numbers were NOT always matched up.

Still looking for the smaller one.

[zzyzzogeton]

The second one is a Imperial German (Prussian) "kurzes Seitengewehr" kS98 (Short) bayonet, for use initially with the Gew98 and later the JB71 rifles.

The lack of markings and what appears to be checked composition rubber handle scales would make it an East African Schutztruppe (protective forces) colonial forces bayonet, 1902 to 1913. Production ceased shortly before WW1 started.

[herbva]

Great information. Thanks so much ZZZ! Do you, or anyone else, have any ideas about where I could get some kind of black checkered material that I could use to patch that missing chunk in the second one? I have lots of bone, micarta, stag, etc., but nothing even close to that checkered material. Thanks again!

[zzyzzogeton]

Since that stuff hasn't been made since the early 1950s, I doubt you'll be able to find the exact material.

Having said that, there may be a German/European forum that can source whatever they are using over in Europe.

The first forum I'd try would be the worldmilitaria forum. I don't remember their exact web url as I just always go to the usmilitariaforum, login there and click on the link to the sister forum.

If might see if you can scare up a slab or two of black bakelite. It's pretty similar (just not a rubber based product) and cut/checker your own. If I did that, I'd probably make a matched set for each side.